a late Vanquish Volante S or an early Superleggera Volante?

[MJN53]

Time to slim down and say goodbye to my Gen 1Vanquish S and DB7VV. Both stunning low mileage cars and will make someone else proud.

In their place I'm thinking of the above. I'm yet to drive both and will do this in the coming weeks.

I love the shape of the Vanquish and its sound is something else. Cheaper than a Superleggera of course.

I'm a fan of DBS Superleggera too and of course appreciate it is a much newer car.

Has anyone done the comparison already and wish to let me have your thoughts?

I'm particularly interested to know if there are reliability issues with either, in particular early examples of the newer model? I'd be buying from a main dealer with Timeless Warranty.

[RSbandit]

Making a similar decision myself right now and leaning towards a DBS, havent driven either but owned a V12VS a while back so not unfamiliar to the brand and those stonking engines. I have a thread running further down which is probably worth reading through.

[AWV12]

Having a DBS Volante with N/A V12 for >10 years, I did consider a Vqs with the same N/A V12, but did love my DBS too much for it to change.

After a long test drive, I would never go for the DBSS with the turbo V12. Not only is the sound much less special/involving, also the transmission, tech on board and the interior did not do it for me. Just with the new line up (DB12, new V8V and next week the new Vqs) the interior and tech is acceptable again (beware of some major software glitches though!), as well is the driving performance (engine, sound, gearbox, suspension, etc of the DB12 is way ahead of the DB11/DBSS imho).

So please test drive a DBS or Vqs before the DBSS and see/feel for yourself!

[SJH_Vs]

I had a Vanquish S and I now have the DBSS, frankly no contest.

The only thing going for the Vanquish S is the start up sound, after that it has a crap interior, nothing like the handling or performance, the front clearance is terrible, sat nav screen is tiny, door handles and controls feel cheap in comparison.

[callevascm]

It is a good job we like different things. I went from a Vantage V12 AMR Roadster Manual to a Vanquish S Volante Ultimate. I did want to like the DBSS, it was newer and I thought offered better value for money. However I couldn't get to like the chassis and I thought there was too much torque (adhesion, or lack of it, was an issue for me). The Vanquish is not perfect and the old nav screen is small and too far away. However the V12 engine and the Z8 gearbox works for me - I just think it is fabulous. I did want a DBSS after I went to the launch at Gaydon but I didn't gel with it when driving. But then we are different too and that makes life more interesting - just go and try both and you will then know which one gives you the largest smile. I always say it is very hard to be cross when you are driving an Aston.

[LooneyTunes]

SJH_Vs said:

I had a Vanquish S and I now have the DBSS, frankly no contest.

The only thing going for the Vanquish S is the start up sound, after that it has a crap interior, nothing like the handling or performance, the front clearance is terrible, sat nav screen is tiny, door handles and controls feel cheap in comparison.

I find the slating of the Vanquish (and many other AM) interiors quite strange. I don’t see anything fundamentally wrong with them.

Yes the screen is tiny, but the rest of the design is very classic in its appearance. To me it has aged very well indeed, far better I suspect than the DBSS’s will with its poorly integrated (and non-hideable) screens and Merc bits will.

I’d agree the front end clearance can be an issue and, yes, the overall performance of the DBSS might be better but I suspect there are quite a few folk on here who could change but haven’t. My personal view is that in future years, the VS is going to be the more sought after vehicle (not that that’s a good reason to choose one if you don’t like it).

There’s nothing wrong with the DBSS or the VS, I just think the two increasingly appeal to people who prefer slightly different things.

[Whatever123]

SJH_Vs said:

I had a Vanquish S and I now have the DBSS, frankly no contest.

The only thing going for the Vanquish S is the start up sound, after that it has a crap interior, nothing like the handling or performance, the front clearance is terrible, sat nav screen is tiny, door handles and controls feel cheap in comparison.

Complete opposite view on the Vanquish S, i had the volante for about 12 months and the start up was horrendous, i really dislike being that anti social tbh, i like to pick my moments where others arent subjected to what i adore, but hey ho.

The car was very good apart from that, long nose overhang and no lift was also very silly, changed the diamond cut alloys (really dislike them) for standard vanquish and it looked so much better..

But yes, i’m like RS and currently looking for a dbs volante after a recent test drive, so much more suited to being a GT, better ride, more torque and a beautiful tone to the V12, much less shouty but easily heard, i really think this car is aston at its finest hour.

[LooneyTunes]

Whatever123 said:

Complete opposite view on the Vanquish S, i had the volante for about 12 months and the start up was horrendous, i really dislike being that anti social tbh, i like to pick my moments where others arent subjected to what i adore, but hey ho.

A quiet start mode would have been a good addition… not sure why AM didn’t bother.

[Whatever123]

Looked lovely though, apart from the rear for me, i dont like a ducks tail rear that much

[SJH_Vs]

callevascm said:

It is a good job we like different things. I went from a Vantage V12 AMR Roadster Manual to a Vanquish S Volante Ultimate. I did want to like the DBSS, it was newer and I thought offered better value for money. However I couldn't get to like the chassis and I thought there was too much torque (adhesion, or lack of it, was an issue for me). The Vanquish is not perfect and the old nav screen is small and too far away. However the V12 engine and the Z8 gearbox works for me - I just think it is fabulous. I did want a DBSS after I went to the launch at Gaydon but I didn't gel with it when driving. But then we are different too and that makes life more interesting - just go and try both and you will then know which one gives you the largest smile. I always say it is very hard to be cross when you are driving an Aston.

I quite understand and the DBSS can be a bit hairy in the wet! I do love the shape of both but I found that the things that you touch (stalks to door handles) just reminded me all the time of the normal car parts bin!! The front end of the Vanquish S became really tiresome after a while to which meant you were always having to check parking access at hotels, friends houses etc. It was frankly worse than many mid engine supercars eg an R8 or 458 has better ground clearance for small dips or sleeping policeman!!

[Dewi 2]

Whatever123 said:

Complete opposite view on the Vanquish S, i had the volante for about 12 months and the start up was horrendous, i really dislike being that anti social tbh, i like to pick my moments where others aren't subjected to what i adore, but hey ho.

The car was very good apart from that, ...

Such a simple solution for those circumstances. Have a hidden, wired 3-way switch installed.
Switch to 'Exhaust valves always closed' position, before starting the engine.
The switch could be left in that position, if preferred.

[AMVSVNick]

Finding your perfect DBSSLV will be a damn sight easier than finding your perfect VSV

[MJN53]

Thanks for your replies all

Anyone with thoughts on reliability of each? Do early examples of DBS Superleggera Volante suffer with any faults, electrical gremlins etc sorted on later examples perhaps?

[Whatever123]

AMVSVNick said:

Finding your perfect DBSSLV will be a damn sight easier than finding your perfect VSV

Harder to type though

[AMVSVNick]

Whatever123 said:

AMVSVNick said:

Finding your perfect DBSSLV will be a damn sight easier than finding your perfect VSV

Harder to type though

[Simpo Two]

Not a Volante but this came up: https://carhuna.com/auctions/vehicle/2019-aston-ma...

[LTP]

Simpo Two said:

Not a Volante but this came up: https://carhuna.com/auctions/vehicle/2019-aston-ma...

That is a nice looking car. Love the exterior. I always worry about Truffle Cream (assuming that's what it is) ending up getting grubby. I'd also prefer more of a Sandstorm rather than the mushroom-y colour for the main interior colour.

But what relevance do my comments have, as I'll never own it (unless the numbers fall right on Saturday - I am in it to win it)

[AMVSVNick]

LTP said:

That is a nice looking car. Love the exterior. I always worry about Truffle Cream (assuming that's what it is) ending up getting grubby. I'd also prefer more of a Sandstorm rather than the mushroom-y colour for the main interior colour.

But what relevance do my comments have, as I'll never own it (unless the numbers fall right on Saturday - I am in it to win it)

My cream is as good as new after 19k miles.

[LTP]

AMVSVNick said:

My cream is as good as new after 19k miles.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, especially as cream interior with blue piping in a blue car was one of the most popular RR combinations when I was in Crewe. It used to be a disciplinary offence to go anywhere near a car with a ball-point or felt-tip in your pocket, as that stuff does not come out easily from cream hide; it was pencils all round.

But I'd still never go that light, even though I do like a pale interior (part Winter Wheat in my V8V)

And now back on topic

[AMVSVNick]

LTP said:

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, especially as cream interior with blue piping in a blue car was one of the most popular RR combinations when I was in Crewe. It used to be a disciplinary offence to go anywhere near a car with a ball-point or felt-tip in your pocket, as that stuff does not come out easily from cream hide; it was pencils all round.

But I'd still never go that light, even though I do like a pale interior (part Winter Wheat in my V8V)

And now back on topic

Cream for the win